
American History Hit
Join Don Wildman twice a week for your hit of American history, as he explores the past to help us understand the United States of today. We’ll hear how codebreakers uncovered secret Japanese plans for the Battle of Midway, visit Chief Powhatan as he prepares for war with the British, see Walt Disney accuse his former colleagues of being communists, and uncover the dark history that lies beneath Central Park. From pre-colonial America to independence, slavery to civil rights, the gold rush to the space race, join Don as he speaks to leading experts to delve into America’s past. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Brought to you by History Hit, the award-winning podcast network and world’s best history channel on demand, featuring shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors and Betwixt the Sheets.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
Latest episodes

May 1, 2025 • 37min
The Fall of Richard Nixon
Who was the real Richard Nixon? There are sides to him that get overlooked, like that he had a deeper understanding of foreign affairs than any other US President. But it's hard to see the light for the shade and the tragic fall that overshadows everything.Don's guest today is Professor Nicole Hemmer whose latest book is "Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s".Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Tim Arstall. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

Apr 28, 2025 • 39min
Vietnam: The End of the War?
How did the US get out of Vietnam? In this episode, we are diving into how 'peace' was agreed in Paris, and what it really meant for Vietnam.Don is joined by Pierre Asselin, professor at San Diego State University and author of, among others, ‘A Bitter Peace: Washington, Hanoi, and the Making of the Paris Agreement’ and ‘Hanoi’s Road to the Vietnam War, 1954-1965’.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Tim Arstall. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

Apr 24, 2025 • 40min
Richard Nixon: Rise from Poverty
To understand Watergate, to understand the fall of Nixon, you need to look first at the rise. How the turbulence of his sky rocketing career left bruises and bitternesses that lingered. Don's guest today is Professor Nicole Hemmer whose latest book is "Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s". She takes Don on a journey into the psychology and politics of the most fascinating President of them all.Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

Apr 21, 2025 • 49min
Vietnam: Conscientious Objection in a Warzone
During the Vietnam War, 170,000 men received conscientious objector deferments. In this episode, we speak to one of them.Sidney Morrison joins Don to discuss his service and experiences as a medic during the war, from camaraderie in the face of danger to the psychological impacts of war.Sidney is the author of 'Frederick Douglass: A Novel'.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Max Carrey. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

Apr 17, 2025 • 41min
The Truth About Paul Revere's Ride
Paul Revere's Midnight Ride is a legend of the American Revolutionary War - galloping through the Massachusetts' dark to warn Sam Adams, John Hancock and the rest that the British were coming. The next morning, those Patriots in Lexington and Concord were ready for battle. But what really happened? Who was Paul Revere? Why has his name gone down in history?Don's guest is Michael Hattem, historian of the American revolution and author of The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History.Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

Apr 14, 2025 • 54min
Vietnam: The My Lai Massacre
How did a US Army mission in Vietnam end with the massacre of up to 500 people?In this episode, Don is joined by Christopher Levesque to examine one of the most harrowing chapters of the war in Vietnam. They return to March 1968, when the men of Charlie Company undertook a 'search and destroy' mission in the Quang Ngai province village of Son My.Chris holds a joint appointment at the University of West Florida Libraries and the UWF Historic Trust. He is an archivist and teaches at the University of Western Florida, Pensacola, and the University of Charleston.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast.

13 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 44min
President Lyndon B. Johnson: Triumph to Tragedy
Mark Atwood Lawrence, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of works on the Vietnam War, shares his insights on Lyndon B. Johnson's tumultuous presidency. They explore Johnson's remarkable legislative achievements, including the Voting Rights and Civil Rights Acts, juxtaposed with the disintegration of his public support due to the Vietnam War. Lawrence delves into Johnson's persuasive skills and evolving views on civil rights, while illuminating the complex legacy that shifted perceptions during and after his time in office.

10 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 51min
Vietnam War: Turning Points
Mark Atwood Lawrence, a Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin, dives into the intricate dynamics of the Vietnam War. He discusses the escalation of U.S. involvement, particularly the pivotal Gulf of Tonkin incident. Lawrence also explores Eisenhower's cautious approach to military intervention and the profound impact of television on American perception of the conflict. The conversation highlights the transition from advisory roles to active combat, revealing how these decisions shaped future American foreign policy.

10 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 30min
Battle of Fort Donelson
Join Chris Mackowski, a Civil War expert and professor, as he dives into the significance of the Battle of Fort Donelson. Discover how this clash shaped the Union's strategy and Ulysses S. Grant's rise to fame with his bold demand for unconditional surrender. Mackowski highlights the chaotic battlefield dynamics and critical blunders made by Confederate leadership, showcasing how personal connections influenced decisions amidst the turmoil. This riveting discussion reveals the turning point that altered the course of the Civil War.

7 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 41min
Bobby Kennedy: Assassination of a Future President
In this insightful discussion, Patricia Sullivan, a history professor at the University of South Carolina and author of "Justice Rising: Robert Kennedy’s America in Black and White," explores Robert F. Kennedy’s ambitious 1968 presidential campaign and its tragic end. She discusses the politically charged climate of the era, influenced by the Vietnam War and civil rights, as well as RFK's evolving identity after his brother’s assassination. The conversation also delves into the enduring legacy of Kennedy's ideals, emphasizing hope amid chaos and the implications of his untimely death.